The Penn State Thespians have joined with the AIDS Project, 301 S. Allen St., to create a black-tie masquerade ball that will benefit the AIDS Project and spread the word about the disease.

The event, MasquerAIDS, will also help the thespians promote their production of Quilt: A Musical Celebration, a show based on 19 stories from the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

The quilt was created as a tribute to AIDS victims and families.

All of the funds raised at MasquerAIDS and a portion of the ticket sales from the group's show will be donated to the AIDS Project.

The ball will be held tomorrow in the Atherton Hotel, 125 S. Atherton St. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the hotel's lobby and will be followed by dinner and dancing in the ballroom.

As in traditional masquerade style, attendees are encouraged to wear masks of any kind. Specific masks can be purchased at Gift Adventures, 137 E. Beaver Ave.

The thespians will be providing the entertainment with live theater excerpts from Rent, Angels in America and Quilt: A Musical Celebration.

"We're looking for community connections," said Tan Falkowski, Penn State Thespians committee chairperson of MasquerAIDS.

"We're trying to become more service-oriented and the AIDS Project is a great organization."

As a special guest, Sue Paterno will serve as a host of the event.

In addition, several State College businesses such as Erie Insurance, the Atherton Hotel and The Cat's Meow have donated their time and funding in support of the Penn State Thespians and the AIDS Project.

Sarah Keegan, director of Quilt, was inspired to get involved with the production after working in various hospice programs.

"The point of the show is how to survive with AIDS," said Keegan (senior-theatre). "It's a great show because it shows many different people dealing with AIDS."

As the first combined effort of the thespians and the AIDS Project, the coordinators of MasquerAIDS hope to fill as many seats as possible.

"This is the first time the thespians have put together an event of this magnitude," said Maria Peņa, assistant director of the AIDS Project. "We would love to make this an annual event."

The thespians chose to produce Quilt as their spring production upon the suggestion of Penn State Thespians advisor Gerald Henry.

The cast and crew have been rehearsing and working on the show for over six weeks.

The thespians organized MasquerAIDS in conjunction with Quilt.

"We are getting involved to raise money, to educate the community and to raise awareness about AIDS," Peņa said. "(We support) anything to spread the word about AIDS."

The MasquerAIDS coordination committee has been preparing the event for many weeks.

"We are expecting a profit of $7,500 for the AIDS Project," said Falkowski (senior-speech communications).

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the AIDS Project at 234-7087. This includes dinner, theater and dancing. There is a limit of 200 seats.